Word Meaning
सर-ब-जेब
sar-ba-jeb
Meaning
Head bowed in collar; lost in deep thought, contemplation, or hesitation.
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning 'with head inside the collar or pocket', this Persian compound signifies someone deeply absorbed in meditation, intellectual abstraction, or passive hesitation. In Iqbal's verse, it characterizes the purely theoretical contemplation of countless philosophers (hakeem) in sharp contrast to the bold, dynamic self-sacrifice of Moses (kaleem sar-ba-kaf).
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'sar' (head) + 'ba' (in, to) + 'jeb' (from Arabic 'jayb', collar or bosom).
Usage
In classical poetry, the phrase often symbolizes introverted mystical reflection (muraqaba) or intellectual passivity contrasted with dynamic action.
Examples
Lost in thought, sitting with head tucked low.
The philosophers remained deeply contemplative yet inactive.